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Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Islamic Shariah & The Natural Instinct to Adorn and Beautify!

Man has been created with this natural desire to adorn and beautify him/her self. It is an instinct that is unique with human beings, as all the other creations of Allah are void of this perceptivity.

Elegance and beautification are encouraged in Islam, as the Qur'an states.

Allah (s.w.t.) said: Say: Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has brought forth for His servants, and the good things of His providing. [Al-Qur'an: Al-A`raf (7:32)].Islam also acknowledges this natural instinct of man, thus it did not place an entire stop on this desire. However, Islam laid certain reasonable limitations and restrictions.

Islam also acknowledged the desire of husbands to see their women beautiful and adorned, thus permitted the wives to use the various types of jewellery on their hands and feet. Women are also encouraged to wear Henna on their hands and feet, and good fragrance is regarded as charity.

At home with family members, women may dress as they please. Others believe that only a woman’s hands and face should show while she is in public. Women who accept this belief often cover their head, neck, and hair with a large scarf which has come to be known as a hijab. This Arabic word can mean several different things to Muslims. Translated literally it means “screen,” “separation,” “cover,” or “partition.” It may also refer to traditional Islamic dress codes for women, or compliance with those codes. A Muslim man or woman should like only what is Halal in his/her spouse. When someone starts to enjoy what is Haram and starts to think it is beautiful, he/she should question his/her belief and its strength. Men are told to adorn themselves for their wives as women are for their husbands.Ibn `Abbas, the companion of the Prophet (s.a.w.) said: "I adorn myself for my wife just like she adorns herself for me, and I wouldn't want to get my right from her without giving her her right too, because Allah (s.w.t.) said: And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them in kindness". (Ibn Abi Hatim and Ibn Jarir).

Islam prohibits Muslims from dressing for the sake of fame, vanity, and pride.

Allah (s.w.t.) said: Allah does not love any proud boaster [Al-Qur'an: Al-Hadid (57:23)].The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will not look at the person who trails his robe behind him out of pride. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).